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From Natalya's reaction to her new challenger to the fallout from Randy Orton's shockingly quick defeat, here is a preview of tonight's SmackDown LIVE.

09/25/2017 - 17:45

Top 10 SmackDown LIVE moments: WWE Top 10, September 19, 2017WWE Top 10 takes you back to this week's SmackDown LIVE to revisit the show's most thrilling, physical and controversial moments.09/20/2017 - 11:31

Is Charlotte ready for Natalya at WWE Hell in a Cell?: WWE.com Exclusive, Sept. 19, 2017After earning the right to challenge SmackDown Women's Champion Natalya at WWE Hell in a Cell, The Queen says she's prepared to follow up on her return to Team Blue with a championship victory.09/20/2017 - 00:23

Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch vs. Naomi vs. Tamina - Winner faces Natalya for the SmackDown Women's Title at WWE Hell in a Cell: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017With a title opportunity against SmackDown Women's Champion Natalya on the line, four of Team Blue's top women square off in this week's main event.09/19/2017 - 23:53

Kevin Owens issues a statement about his attack on Mr. McMahon: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017KO gives a speech just one week after his vicious attack on WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon.09/19/2017 - 23:34

Natalya crashes Charlotte's thank you to the WWE Universe: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017Charlotte attempts to thank the WWE Universe for their support, but Natalya interrupts The Queen's heartfelt address, only to find out that her next challenger will be determined tonight.09/19/2017 - 23:30

The Hype Bros vow to make a change: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017After coming up short against The New Day, Zack Ryder & Mojo Rawley believe they need to do something drastic to make an impact.09/19/2017 - 22:35

The New Day vs. The Hype Bros: SmackDown LIVE, Sept. 19, 2017After last week's loss, The Hype Bros look to get back on track against SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day.09/19/2017 - 22:30

Carmella has James Ellsworth show off some new tricks: WWE.com Exclusive, Sept. 19, 2017Ms. Money in the Bank forces James Ellsworth to sit, speak and play dead.09/19/2017 - 22:00

Randy Orton vs. Aiden English: SmackDown LIVE: Sept. 19, 2017The Viper takes on WWE's Drama King in this week's opening match, but he soon finds out that his rivalry with Rusev is far from over.09/19/2017 - 21:48

The Usos to invoke SmackDown Tag Team Titles rematch at WWE Hell in a Cell: WWE.com Exclusive, Sept. 19, 2017Jimmy and Jey Uso are done with the fun and games and are poised to reclaim the SmackDown Tag Team Championship from The New Day at WWE Hell in a Cell.09/19/2017 - 18:49

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Survival instincts

FRESNO, Calif. -- Batista came. He signed. He conquered The Great Khali.

Inside Fresno State University's Save Mart Center, Batista signed the contract for his World Heavyweight Championship Match against Edge at Night of Champions.

But just after inking his name to the contract, SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero informed The Animal of an additional amendment. In order to solidify his status as the No. 1 contender to Edge's title, Batista needed to defeat The Great Khali that night on SmackDown.

Unphased by Guerrero's added stipulation, The Animal reminded everyone that he beat The Great Khali before and he would beat him again. Capping off his bold prediction, Batista gave the GM a verbal lashing. "The only thing uglier than the beating I'm going to give Edge at Night of Champions is the woman he's marrying," he said.

Infuriated, Guerrero tacked on another major stipulation for Batista's must-win match against Khali. If Batista lost to the Punjabi Giant, he would not only lose the opportunity to face Edge in a title match, but also be banished from WWE.

Shortly after the signing, Guerrero was spotted in her office with wedding planner Alicia Fox. Montel Vontavious Porter interrupted the meeting to tell Guerrero that he wanted to re-negotiate his own SmackDown contract. Guerrero agreed as long as MVP "took care" of CM Punk later on SmackDown. Earlier in the night, Punk taunted the Rated-R Superstar by reminding him that he could cash in his Money in the Bank contract at any time -- even at Edge's own wedding on the July 11 episode of SmackDown.

After MVP kept up his part of the deal and defeated Punk, everything seemed to be going according to plan. All that remained was for The Great Khali to take care of business in regards to Batista. However, Edge and his fiancée watched their plan crumble as The Animal leveled Khali with a hard-hitting spear to pick up a career-saving win.

Unlike Undertaker, Batista survived Guerrero's win-or-be banished ultimatum. Can The Animal carry this momentum into Night of Champions and become the new World Heavyweight Champion? Or, will the Ultimate Opportunist and the GM find a way to keep the title in "The Family"?